Ubuntu for Smartphones almost ready to be Shipped

The first smartphones to run Ubuntu software could ship later this year, and they’re expected to sell for between $200 and $400.

Ubuntu Touch User Interface

Development of the open source operating system for smartphones and tablets has been taking place in public view, and there are tools that let anyone try a pre-release build of Ubuntu on existing phones, tablets, or emulators.

But now the Ubuntu team has announced that they have a stable build of the operating system that’s ready to release to manufacturers. In other words, Ubuntu for smartphones is ready to run on actual smartphones.

Ubuntu for smartphones and tablets shares some DNA with the popular
Linux operating system for desktop and notebook computers. But it’s been
designed from the ground up for touchscreen devices and it features
notifications, home screens, and mobile-specific apps.
The RTM
image features a number of bug fixes and improvements including support
for Facebook chat notifications, MTP server fixes, and a new Ubuntu user
interface toolkit, among other things.

There are still some bugs
including occasional video freezes… so there may still be some work to
do before Ubuntu is really ready to ship on smartphones such as the
Meizu MX3 and bq Aquaris.